Outsourced business development for small firms

Small and medium businesses such as trades firms, IT providers, agencies and manufacturers that want more customers but have no sales person.

A monthly retainer per client for an agreed amount of outreach and meetings, sometimes with a bonus for deals won.

• Confident talking to strangers
• Clear writing for outreach
• Following up consistently
• Understanding what a client's customers need

• Check the Spam Act and Do Not Call Register rules before doing cold emails or calls
• Check whether you need professional indemnity and public liability insurance
• Retainers can end quickly, so avoid relying on one client for most of your income
• Agree clearly in writing what results you are and are not responsible for
• Check with your local council if home-based business approval is needed

Startup costs are typically estimated at around $300 to $2,000, depending on the tools, website and insurance you choose. Because you work from home, overheads are usually low compared with businesses that need premises or stock.

Monthly revenue is typically estimated at around $1,500 to $7,500, depending on how many retainer clients you have and what you charge. Retainers can end quickly, so avoid relying on one client for most of your income.

Check the Spam Act and Do Not Call Register rules before cold emails or calls. Also check whether you need professional indemnity and public liability insurance, whether your council requires home-based business approval, and agree results in writing.